Sparky

“the Law of Bronwyn had proven true again and again, so often that it was simply accepted. “Once a species is introduced to interstellar spaceflight, it will advance technologically but not socially”
― Ilona Andrews, Sweep of the Blade

“I wanted to die,” she suddenly wailed, feeling him flinch, seeing the pain that tightened his face and made his own tears run faster. “I begged them to kill me.” He rolled her to the bed, his arms wrapping tightly around her, sheltering her, holding her steady as her soul collapsed and her sobs echoed around them. “I begged them to let me die because I couldn’t face it… I couldn’t survive without you…” She was beating at his chest, her blows weak and ineffectual as the years of resounding agony poured free. “I wanted to die without you… And now, I don’t know how to accept that you’re here… I don’t know how to live…”
-sherra”
― Lora Leigh, Kiss of Heat

“Hell. I saw Cassie running for that car and you know what ran through my mind, Merrie?” he asked her painfully.
Merinus sighed deeply. “That you had failed.” She surprised him with that answer. “You couldn’t protect your own, and now you hadn’t protected Cassie either.”
“Yeah,” he breathed out roughly. “But how did you know?”
“Because it’s the same thing Sherra told me before she locked herself in her room,”
― Lora Leigh, Kiss of Heat

“Commander Breaker, do I ask your advice on how to run the Bureau?” Jonas growled when the look had no effect on Rule. “You don’t have to ask,”
Rule quipped deliberately. “I believe I offer on a fairly regular basis.”
― Lora Leigh, Rule Breaker